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Just 60 days prior when the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as his coach admonished him for missing a pass in behind. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were a symptom or the reason of the team's more general malaise.

“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”

This weekend, however, the sideline response proved to be decidedly more positive. When Rogers drilled in his second strike to reinstate his side's advantage, Emery ripped off his coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The team continued to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win their opening six matches, find themselves a mere three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Challengers?

This is a rather hard query to address. Past precedent, the traditional standing of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, their performances haven't been completely commanding this season, even as the victories have piled up.

According to statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the team posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a side that have put together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans look weirdly vulnerable – but currently the fine lines are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with rivals before hoping their talisman to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. This was the case away to Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again versus United.

His opener stemmed from a superb shot, curled right inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, Manchester United managed more shots and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by just one goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those matches.

Regression to the mean might be the biggest rival Villa have to face over the coming weeks. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to blasting his shots into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players could still return to peak condition.

• The main striker might resume adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent could transform into the performer he was in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to return from injury, strengthening a periodically leaky backline.

Maybe within that lies the potential of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

However, this is a surprise. Few believed Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely back in October, nobody thought Rogers as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit while looking like a vital player for the national team.

This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are rare in football and should be relished.